Every applicant needs to write a good cover letter, even the teachers. Statistics show that there's a growth in the demand of teachers, but nevertheless, there's still a million of teachers out there who would want to get the best teaching jobs. Face it, no matter how good a teacher you are, you'll always find somebody who could be better than you in a way.

That's why you need to write a good cover letter. If your cover letter is better than the rest, then you've got a big edge over other applicants. Your cover letter can get you interviewed soon. The sooner you get to be interviewed, the better your chances of getting that teaching job.

Besides, employers expect a lot on teachers. Teachers are supposed to be good at almost everything since they'll be educating the future people of the country. If you can't even write a good cover letter, then your employer will have doubts on your potentials, no matter how impressive your resume is.

The technique to getting a good teaching job is to be able to effectively sell yourself on your cover letter. Once your employer has developed an interest on you because of the cover letter, it'd be easy for you to get the job.

Your teacher cover letter should only contain important facts or teaching experiences that are related to the position you are applying for. Employers wouldn't want to read about you life story. You could just save your stories for your students and colleagues, once you get accepted on the job. Your cover letter should show how professional and bright teacher you are.

If you don't know how to write a teacher cover letter, you can check out the internet for some templates. However, keep in mind that a cover letter should be personalized. A canned cover letter would only disappoint your employer, and you probably won't end up with an interview. Employers are looking for interesting and catchy cover letters, not stereotyped or general ones.

Take time to write a good cover letter. You wouldn't want to waste your chances of landing on a prestigious teaching career, right? Write your cover letter in such a way that the one reading it would look forward to meeting you. Getting a job interview is the hardest part.

Employers are probably screening hundreds of teacher applications everyday, and they would only want to meet the best of the applicants. Surely, they wouldn't want to waste their time on someone who doesn't even interest him.

Aside from including interesting but relevant facts about your teaching career on your cover letter, you should also mention your sincerity to be part of their institution. Employers value loyalty and sincerity as much as qualifications.

Once you received a confirmation of your interview schedule, then getting the job should be easy. Cover letters are there to help you get the chance to be interviewed. A good cover letter would also work to your advantage since employers already like you even before you are interviewed.

What is Resume Distribution?

Resume distribution is a service that you can usually avail from a website company, and with just one click for a certain fee, your resume will be automatically sent to hundreds to thousands of companies that are within the industries you're interested in.

Benefits of Resume Distribution

There are a number of advantages you can enjoy if you choose to avail of the resume distribution services of a company.

Cost-Efficient Solution - Instead of sending your resume by mail or fax and shouldering its respective costs, you can be assured of having your resume read by all the important companies with just one flat fee.

Worry Free and Time-Efficient Solution - After paying the necessary charges and submitting your resume, there's nothing else to worry about. It's the resume distribution company's sole responsibility to see that your resume will get to the necessary inboxes and they'll usually be able to do so in a short period of time. It's written in your contract so do be sure to read it!

Broader Network - Sure, you've done your research about all the possible companies you can send your resume to but could you really know all of them? Resume distribution companies have better chances of having the complete list of companies to contact because that's where their bread and butter come from. If you want to increase your chances of getting hired, you need a bigger network of companies to rely on, and of course, that's when resume distribution comes in.

A Step-by-Step Process of Working with a Resume Distribution Company

Start by improving your resume. If possible, have a professional editor review your resume and make the necessary changes. List down all your qualifications, skills, and achievements as well as any special expertise or knowledge you have. Make a list of your hobbies as well because you never know when this could be important. Afterwards, submit these to the editor and give him the liberty to incorporate the pertinent details in your resume.

As e-resumes are virtually free of charge to send, the breadth or thickness of a resume doesn't matter as strongly as it would in normal circumstances. Thus, don't be afraid to elaborate more than you usually do on your positive traits.

Be careful when choosing the resume distribution company you're going to work with. Know how much they're charging and compare it with the rates offered by other companies. Secondly, know exactly what their services entail. Don't forget the important rule in selecting the right company: compare, compare, compare! Lastly, know just how many companies they have in their database.

Once you've chosen the right company to work with, contact them then arrange for an appointment if possible. Make a list of questions you wish to ask. The more you ask the better because it will allow you to know whether you're truly working with the most suitable resume distribution company.

Lastly, read carefully the terms and conditions of the contract. There might be a hidden loophole that could reveal the company as the wolf in sheep's clothing that it really is. Better yet, verify its reputation with agencies like the Better Business Bureau.

Salutation. Use one. Even in email. If you know the person well, the salutation might be as simple as: “Hi Steve” If not, stick to the tried and true: “Dear Mr. Jones.”

Body. Every business letter should have three basic paragraphs. The first always tells the reader why you're writing. The second is “meat” of the letter. The third paragraph sums it up. A quick example:

1. “I am writing to inquire about your affiliate program.”

2. “I would very much like to know the terms of your program. Also, could you send me a list of existing affiliates and a sample agreement?”

3. “I look forward to receiving your affiliate program information.”

Close. Keep it short and simple. Informally, a “thanks!”, “Best”, or “Cheers,” might be sufficient. More formal would be “Kind regards” or the tried-and-true “Sincerely.”

Signature. Have one. If on paper include your handwritten signature followed by your title. If email, your name with title.

Stationery. Don't forget stationery. It provides an important dynamic to your business letter. On paper, it provides the return address and positions your business. With email, it should do the same. In an email letter, if you don't use an HTML stationery background, make sure you do use a full name, company, address, phone number, and URL under the signature.

A sales page as a few simple ingredients. Make sure you cover them all. Ensure that your sales page has all the following elements:

A strong headline. Not just a title but a headline. In effect your headline has to do three things - it has to identify with the reader, it has to refer to an offer and/or benefit, and it has to entice the reader to go deeper into your page to get the details. Here's an example:

WANT A WINNING WEBSITE? GET IT FOR 20% OFF!

Note: you want to be careful using questions in your title or your sales letter. The rule of thumb is never ask a question that the reader could answer “no” to. Everybody wants a winning website.

The sales page body. You got their attention, not go for it. “Of course you want a winning website and PageFlow Website Maker can do just that. Yada yada….” The body of your sales page must focus on the benefits of your product or service and the offer you're making. To continue, “… With PageFlow Website Maker you'll save hours of tedious programming and thousands of dollars buying custom controls to get just the web site you want….” In the body of the sales page, you can talk about a few (meaning less than 3) key features but only in terms of benefits.

Support the sale. Use sidebars or insets to list features of the product or service - that tells the reader exactly what they will get. Also, consider using a guarantee, testimonial quotation or list of prominent customers to build credibility. You can refer to these in the sales page body but don't put too much detail there.

The call to action. This is where you tell the reader exactly what you want them to do. Consider:

“Examine the specifications of our product and review our money-back guarantee. Then call 1-800-555-1212 or click to place your order! Do it now!”

Sum up and tell them to act again. After all that, make sure you have one more reminder to act. This can be in a P.S. or text box at the bottom of your sales page.
For example:

“P.S. Why wait any longer to get a winning website. Act today - click HERE!”

That's all there is to it. For every sales page you write - make sure all these ingredients are included and you'll be well on your way to improving the yield of your internet marketing.

Also, a cover letter is one way for employers to see just how good or bad your communication skills are. Take note that though resumes are proof read and written by other people, the cover letter is seldom not. Make sure that prior to sending out a cover letter, you have been able to check its spelling, grammar, etc.

Believe it or not, there are a lot of sample cover letters available on the internet. Though there are those who take the time out to write their own cover letters, a lot of people still lift a sample cover letter from the internet and use it as their own, word per word. If you are lucky and the prospective employer you sent your resume to do not know the plagiarism you have done then hooray for you.

However, it is always highly advisable to take the serious time and effort to do something right.
The fact of the matter is that a cover letter must answer the question of why it is you are applying in the first place and what are the benefits a company would have if they do hire you.
Also, write down the job position you are aiming for. Also, try to briefly explain just why it is you are distinctly interested in such a position. A cover letter must also be able to discuss how well you know the company you are applying for. As much as possible, always keep it brief and succinct.

A cover letter must also be able to cite the reasons of your qualifications for the job you are aiming for. Always highlight job experiences which you think will be relevant to the prospective job you are trying to apply for.

Always cite specific situations as well as examples which showcase your good job-related qualities. Be reminded that no cover letter is ever the same especially if you are planning to send them out to various companies and employers.

It is therefore unnecessary to write a generic, uniform cover letter, much less copy a sample cover letter from the web, and use it with the hopes of getting a positive response. A good cover letter needs to be taken seriously in order that employers will take you seriously.

Basically, a cover letter's purpose is to offer valid evidence that would be able to back up any claims you may have on your skills and abilities.
As a further tip, avoid as much as possible sentences that begin with you or more specifically “I.” Always write in the active voice and to avoid telling your credentials using passive voice.

It is a must that you make you as the subject of every sentence. Using active descriptions is necessary as it helps you draw in the attention of your readers, or in this case your prospective employers.

All in all, a good cover letter is one that is made and written by you. It should not be something copied or lifted from a sample cover letter that litters the internet. Though it is not bad to use sample cover letters as an inspiration, it should never be an exact copy of it. It keeps your cover letter from being original and unique. Good luck!

My experience in working with job-seekers has revealed a number of interesting observations. The first is that people seem to dislike editing their life. They fear leaving something out that could enhance their candidacy. The problem here is that too much information could cause the hiring agent to toss that resume in favor of candidates that have less complicated resumes.

The second observation I've made is that people aren't clear on the impact of a well-written objective. The objective on a resume tells the hiring agent exactly what you want. If your objective is specific, and fits well with the company, it could be the deciding factor between you and a similar candidate, particularly if that candidate didn't include an objective. Remember, an objective on a resume is not set in stone. It can be tweaked to fit the particular opportunity for which you are submitting your resume.

The rules of thumb for a basic resume aren't really as challenging as some would think. Unless you are in a technical field or seeking an executive position, your resume shouldn't be more than one page. It should include your objective at the top, your education, and your last ten years of work history in chronological order with the most recent first - working backwards. Depending on the space available, you can add a “Special Skills” Section. Though some prefer to indicate that references are “available upon request,” I advise adding the names, titles and phone numbers of two references at the bottom. It just makes it easier on the hiring agent.

This is the standard format that I use, and while there are other details involved, the challenge of writing a good resume is more about preparation than putting computer ink to paper.

Prior to writing your resume you should make sure that your answer greeting for the phone numbers you include on the resume is something you wouldn't mind a potential employer hearing. I had one client with a cell phone greeting that was completely inaudible, and another client with a greeting that sounded as though she was in the middle of a party.

I don't advise using an e-mail address on a resume. There are just too many reasons that something could go wrong (i.e.: mailbox overload, technical problems, etc.) However, if you feel you must use your e-mail address, here are some tips. Change your e-mail address or reconsider using it on a resume if it is something like wildchild@whatever.com or buffdude@whatever.com. The idea is that you want to convey an appropriate image from the start. Also, you need to be able to check your e-mail several times daily in order to be responsive. If you are going to be out of town and don't have other access, make arrangements to have someone check your e-mail. Don't make the mistake of thinking that, if a hiring agent is really interested, he will call you if he can't get you by e-mail. The responsibility is yours to be accessible. If you make it difficult for them, or add time to their schedule, you may be risking your candidacy.

What I've shared may sound like a lot of common sense, but there really is a process to creating a good resume. Streamlining work history is usually the key concern for most people. Resume preparation becomes more difficult, however, for those who have problematic situations, but even those can be resolved. If you have limited work history, making your resume appear “thin,” then add or elaborate on a “Special Skills/Training” section or “Special Skills/Experience” section. If you don't have a college degree or formal education beyond high school, you can still use your graduation from high school on your resume. Include other training, as well. For those with a long military background, make sure your duties are expressed in everyday language, and show a relation between that work and your new career objective.

The most important action to take when preparing and writing your resume is to adopt a marketing mindset. With a basic format and the right mindset, that resume headache you started out with will never haunt you again.

Most of you will be familiar with the traditional chronological CV, which gives your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your present or most recent job.
Your educational experiences are also listed in the same way.

This CV is a good choice if you have what is sometimes referred to as a “solid track record”, usually in the same industry and possibly the same company, often working your way up the career ladder.

If you are considering using a chronological CV, it is essential that you have no obvious or unexplained gaps in your work history, as they will stand out.

Another reason for using this type of CV is to showcase prestigious companies that you have worked for recently. So if your last few employers are likely to impress prospective bosses, you might use this format.

A functional or skills-based résumé focuses on job-related skills and should emphasis those which are most important in the job you are applying for.

This type of CV is useful if you have gaps, are changing career or just starting out in the workplace and have not yet accumulated much work experience. You can focus on transferable skills which you have gained in any area of your life, for example, as a parent, as a student or when doing voluntary work or playing in a team. Just because you haven't got much work experience doesn't mean that you can't do the job and a functional CV will enable you to prove this. So called soft skills, such as communication skills are amongst the most important, with many big employers saying that they are lacking amongst the workforce. So if you are able to get on well with people, express yourself competently both orally and in writing, you have valuable skills, even if you have never worked before.

A targeted résumé is similar to the functional type, but tends to focus on more specialized skills and so is likely to be used when you are highly skilled in a particular field.

Choosing the right format could mean that your résumé does not get filed in the bin during the first screening.

© Waller Jamison 2007

The first resume cover letter paragraph

The initial paragraph in your resume cover letter must primarily cite the reason of why you are writing in the first place. This should be able tell your prospective employer the particular position you would want to be in. Usually, this is comprised of three sentences. The points you need to cover are the following: why are you writing again? What is the particular position you are attempting to apply for? Why are you interested in such a position?

In this part, it would be best to utilize the research you have done and relate it with the position you are applying for. The objective is to connect these two details. It is best to be able to do this specifically yet in a brief manner. Statements that are too long winded as well as sweeping is a no-no.

The second resume cover letter paragraph

In this paragraph, the objective is to state the reasons of why you are qualified for the job position you are applying for. In this part, it is best to highlight the work experiences that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

As much as possible, state anywhere between two or three points on the qualities you have been able to exhibit. As much as possible, do not forget to cite particular examples that support such points.

Take note that this specific paragraph is likely to change as according to the employer or job you are applying for. Also, this is the paragraph that maybe the longest. It would be best to break this particular paragraph to two if it appears lengthy.

The initial sentence of this paragraph must be an opener that is hard-hitting. It is also a basically speedy introduction that is oriented on the accomplishments you have achieved as well as the qualifications and skills you have which tallies with what the job you are applying for needs.

Also, the paragraph body must be able to offer evidence that would back up any of the claims you have made. It would be best to cite internship experiences or projects / activities you have been involved in which you think is related to job you are applying for.

Make use of the resume you have to be able to detail job experience specifics, however never repeat any details on your cover letter that is already in your resume.' Remember that a solid and relevant example is important.

The last sentence for this paragraph is a basic summary of the details you have already discussed. It is better is you again cite the job position you are applying for in order to remind the reader to the job you have in your mind you would want to do.

All in all, a good resume' cover letter should close with a brief paragraph of how you could be contacted, your request for a possible interview as well as an appreciation for the time they spent reading your cover letter. Good luck!

In the heading, the first paragraph must include your address and the date you are writing the letter. Put one space. In the second paragraph, put the name of the employer. Underneath his name is his title. Make sure that it is accurate. Then put the company name underneath, as well as the address.

Generally, the body of the cover letter begins with the greeting “Dear Mr./Ms. Employer.” It is preceded by the position you desire. Make sure it is short and sweet. Two to three sentences can do.

Make sure though that is covers the reason why you are writing the letter. Also indicate the position you are applying for. This is the opportunity to make yourself shine in your letter. Indicate your previous experiences and personality traits that will go hand-in-hand with this possible position.

For brownie points, you can show in your letter your interest in the position. Establish a connection briefly and specifically.

Proceed with the second paragraph by elaborating further on the points you have presented, specifically the reason why you are qualified for the position you are applying for. Focus on the experience and qualities that you believe will give you the edge among your competition.

The second paragraph is usually the longest in the cover letter. If you want, you can break this part into two so that it won't look lengthy. Just do not forget to indicate these points:

- Your first sentence is the opener to the whole letter. It is a short and brief introduction that already contains your accomplishments. It also gives light on your skills and why you are qualified for the job.

- The body of the letter provides the evidence to the points you have just claimed. Briefly cite internships, activities, projects or past work experiences that you have been associated to. Attach your resume but do not reiterate what is already visible in it word per word.

- Your final sentence is a wrapping up of what you have previously discussed. You can mention the position title as well as the company name so that the reader is reminded of the position you are applying for.

End your cover letter with a paragraph containing two to four sentences. You can refer to the resume you attached. You can also request for an interview. It is important you thank the reader/employer for his time and consideration in reading the letter. End it formally by writing your name and putting your signature above it.

Finally, here are some tips on how you can make your cover letter more professional

1. Research on the company as well as the specific responsibilities the position you are applying for entails. In that way, you will be able to tailor your letter to what the company needs.

2. Do not start your sentences with an “I.” Do not write in the passive voice like “This experience has allowed me to” or “Because of my internship, I have become responsible.” You should always make yourself the subject in each sentence of your letter.

3. Try to not use contradictions like I'd, it's and didn't. Spell each word out.

4. Spelling, punctuation and grammar mistakes are major turn off. The cover letter reflects your writing skills.

5. Do not forget to sign your letter using black ink.

I eventually got a job as a recruiter for an employment placement agency. It was here that I learned the importance of a resume. I would soon learn that resumes weren't only important in getting a job, but they were also important once you had a job. To get promotions, win proposals, and bid on projects, your resume is an important vehicle on the highway of your career. Thus, it is essential to do them right.

Presentation: One day at my recruiting job, I met with an applicant who came in with a resume written on a napkin. Now, in this applicant's defense, she was under the impression that our agency would write a proper resume for her and she only needed to bring in a general outline. Also in her defense, the napkin wasn't used. Nonetheless, because of this occurrence, I find a need to clarify a few things about proper resume presentation.

Basic Paper: Resumes should be typed on plain white paper. Plain and simple.

Cover all bases: Including a cover letter, when the cover letter is professionally written, can benefit the applicant greatly. Though many times the employer will bypass reading the cover letter, as a means to get right to the meat of the resume, the fact that a cover letter was written, and the overall presentation was professional, will be noted.

Short and Sweet: Resumes are synonymous with the word “summary” and antonymous to the word “epic.” While they should be written in a manner that conveys all the applicant's qualifications, actual resumes should not exceed one or two pages. Employers are busy people and they will surely ignore John Doe's Resume: Volume 1 for a shorter, more precise rundown.

Friendly Font: Just because a resume shouldn't be lengthy, the font on a resume shouldn't be so small that the employer needs a magnifying glass to read it. If the font is too small, the employer will likely pass it up for a resume that doesn't have a built in vision test. On the flip side, however, a resume possessing font that is too large may convey that the person writing is trying to stretch out or exaggerate limited skills, limited knowledge, or a limited amount of computer ink.

Format: The best resumes, written in a simple, easy to follow manner, convey the most important information first. Resumes should start off with a centered, bolded heading of the applicant's name, address, phone number and e-mail address. Next, the objective (or purpose of the applicant) is listed. This is followed by either education or employment history. Choosing whether to list education first or employment history first should be decided based on which entity serves as the most qualifying experience. Educational background and job history should always include dates and should be listed with most current credentials first. These are followed by a list of honors, professional development classes/organizations affiliated with and skills. Each of these qualifying units should serve as a section and include bold type (for educational institution, previous companies, etc.) and bullets (for degrees held, duties performed, etc.).

Spacing: Double-spacing a resume is not necessary, but the use of space between sections (i.e., between educational background and job experience) should be implemented in a consistent manner. Along these lines, capitalization, punctuation, and underlining should all be used and used steadily.

Sentence Structure: When listing the duties involved in each individual job, some people write in complete sentences and some write in fragments. Both ways will suffice but the applicant should not deviate between the two. If the applicant writes about the most recent job with complete sentences, and then writes about the most previous job in chopped up fragments, the format of the resume will begin to suffer.

Content: While working with a variety of employers, I learned what is really wanted in a resume and, more importantly, what is not wanted. Does the employer need to know everything about an applicant? No. Does the employer need to know what kind of car an applicant drives or place of birth? No. Does the employer need to know what the applicant finds romantic? No, unless the applicant is applying for an internship at the Oval Office.

Job Duties: There are two things that should always be considered when relaying past job experiences: honesty and specifics.

Be honest: Past experience and qualifications are often directly proportional to one another; hence, the more duties a person has under his/her belt, the more qualified he/she becomes. However, the overzealous applicant may list responsibilities that they rarely - if ever - possessed. For instance, if an applicant was once given petty cash and sent to fetch lunch at the local sandwich shop, the job description of “handled company money and bookkeeping on a regular basis” should not be used. Employers are generally well versed in dissecting a resume, and they will know if the listed job duties do not match up to the listed job title.

Be Specific: A lot of times people assume that writing with detail, or being descriptive, simply means using a lot of adjectives. Thus, a sentence might be found on a resume that resembles one such as: “I was responsible for faxing crispy, white paper that resembled the ocean's tide.”

However, the specifics of a job description should be limited to what a job entailed and, more importantly, how the job was done. For example, instead of writing “possessed leadership skills by supervising,” an applicant should relay how leadership skills were demonstrated by stating how many people were supervised, what kind of policies were upheld, and what tasks presented themselves on a daily basis. Along these lines, numbers should always be included. Writing “increased company profit by 50 percent in the first quarter” will speak volumes over a simple “increased profits.”

Awards and accolades: There are certain awards and accolades that should definitely be mentioned on a resume. For example, “employee of the year,” “salesman of the quarter” and graduating with honors are all very valid and applicable awards. But, some people tend to get carried away and list every award or acknowledgement they have ever received. And, with this, the applicant begins to lose credibility. The person applying for an internship at a sports magazine presenting a resume that includes, “MVP of Sophomore Basketball Team, 1988″ will look about the same as the aspiring artist who presents a portfolio boasting, “drawings were displayed on parents refrigerator three years running.”

Organizations / Extracurricular Activities: Similarly to awards, organizations and / or clubs affiliated with should only be listed if they are applicable to the position for which an applicant is applying. A potential employer does not need to know about clubs or organizations that are not related. They don't need to know if a candidate plays intramural basketball, or belongs to a church. And, the employer definitely doesn't need to know about certain clubs (AA) or classes (Anger Management) and applicant may be involved in.

Skills and hobbies: One of the most important skills a person should list is whether or not they are bilingual (from personal experience, employers do not count Pig Latin as a second language). Other skills that should be listed are clerical skills, computer skills (listing specific programs), accounting skills, typed words per minute and any applicable certifications an applicant may possess.

Salary requirements: Always omit salary requirements, unless specifically asked to include them. An applicant must first charm an employer before automatically ruling themselves out by asking for too much money.

References: Do not list references, but instead write “references available upon request” and have them ready to supply if asked. It's a good idea to give references a heads up; I always called mine ahead of time to let them know that I am using them for a reference, and more importantly, to let them know to lie.

Final Details: A person's resume needs to have confidence, but also humility. Being overly timid, or overly boastful, will both work against the job contender. The writer must remember that he/she is asking for a “chance” at a job. Ultimately, the applicant needs to make the employer think that they walk on water, without actually saying that they do.
A resume should be eloquent and intellectual, but not overly verbose with big-worded vocabulary. An employer doesn't want to, and probably won't, consult a dictionary to decipher what a resume is trying to convey. Finally, the checking of spelling and grammar is an essential part of the resume process. An applicant should proofread their resume like someone with obsessive compulsive disorder. Nothing will hurt a resume more than typos, spelling mistakes, or incorrect usage of grammar.

If even after a stellar resume is written, and sent to prospective employers, the applicant still has no hope at finding a job, simply tell them to stay tuned for my next article, How to Marry Rich.